Mr Tuilaepa says climate change is a pressing issue among small island states at risk of rising sea levels.

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Samoa's prime minister has called on Australia to lift its focus from the federal budget and lead the way on climate change.

"We do hope Australia's ... current leadership could look at the Pacific Islands as a special case in terms of climate change," said Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

"In saying that, I am aware of the extreme pre-occupation of the present leadership with budget savings."

His plea comes as Samoa prepares to host the United Nations' Small Island Developing States conference next week.

Delegates from over 100 countries are expected to attend the conference to discuss the specific needs of small island nations.

Mr Tuilaepa says climate change is a top priority for the meeting as small island states are most affected by rising sea levels.

"The world cannot understand the anxiety of our people in the Pacific which if the sea level rise takes effect, many many nations will sink under the rising sea," he said.

"It is a question of survival that we are talking about."

Mr Tuilaepa says Samoa, like other Pacific nations, is already bearing the brunt of killer cyclones and disastrous flooding.

"The threats have already occurred ... and are increasing in severity," he said.

Mr Tuilaepa says he is grateful for the assistance already provided by Australia and New Zealand but says it is not enough.

He is calling on the Abbott Government to shift its focus from the budget to its friends in need in the Pacific.

"We will have a very small contingent [from] Australia and what I am saying is I would like to see that extended," he said.

"Australia and New Zealand are members of the Pacific Islands forum and the membership there was especially important, because being the biggest member countries in the only consolidated grouping of islands in the Pacific, they should do more."

It was hoped the conference would hear a proposal to have climate change refugees protected under the UN Refugee Convention, but this movement failed.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon hopes the conference will create new momentum for strong action at the September's climate change summit in New York.